Pitch framing is an art form for some catchers. Minnesota Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers took that to another level on Friday.
There are certain expectations for a backup catcher – be solid defensively, have a bit of pop in the bat, and work well with the pitching staff. Being a superlative pitch framer can be a ticket to the majors as well; that ability to steal a strike can make a major difference in an at bat, and, subsequently, the game.
But even the elite pitch framers in baseball are taking a back seat. On Friday, Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers took pitch framing to another level, getting a strike call on a pitch he did not catch.
To be fair to the umpire, Caleb Thielbar’s slow curve was a strike, catching the lower corner of the zone on the outer edge of the plate. However, watching Jeffers frame a pitch that hit him in the leg and bounced away is a thing of beauty.
Jeffers has actually been a respectable pitch framer in his limited playing time. Thus far in 2020, he has converted 52.0% of pitches that have not been offered at into strikes, the ninth best rate of the 62 qualified catchers in baseball. He has actually been an elite pitch framer this season.
Unfortunately, that has been about the only positive for Jeffers defensively. Fielding metrics are not a fan of his work behind the plate, as he has cost the Twins a run defensively in his 82 innings. He has also thrown out just 17% of would-be base stealers this year, although the six attempts are a small sample size.
However, the defense should get there. The Twins’ sixth ranked prospect has excellent arm strength, although his slower release limits his effectiveness in the running game. He has worked to improve his quickness in getting rid of the ball, and if he can continue to make progress, Jeffers could be an excellent defensive backstop in his own right.
Even if that does not happen, Ryan Jeffers will always have the greatest moment of pitch framing in baseball. The Minnesota Twins backstop showed that you do not need to catch the ball to steal a strike.